Moran bouncing back as new coach

Gary Moran will be bouncing back at Stratford Town when the new EVO-STIK League Southern season kicks off after the club's former skipper and assistant manager returned to join the touchline team of manager Carl Adams.

Moran, pictured, returned to The DCS Stadium on Monday after managing Rugby Town in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League last term before leaving in the wake of their relegation to Step 5 in April. The 34-year-old - who took the helm with the Valley already deep in trouble - succeeds Ross Thorpe as first team coach.

Adams also secured the services of last term's 'Player of the Year' Will Grocott on Monday for another campaign when the midfield maestro put pen-to-paper on a new contract for the 2017-18 EVO-STIK League Southern Premier Division season.

Adams, who's also appointed Jordan Taylor as the successor to long-serving physio Joe Perkins, told the club's fans: "I am over the moon that Will has re-committed to the club as he will be playing a huge part for us both now and into the future."

@StratfordTownFC tweeted: "We're delighted to announce the return of @GaryMoran1 to the Town fold joining Carl Adams management team - welcome home Gary."